Eight players from SBCC's WSC championship team have earned spots on the All-Western State Conference North Division squad. Eryn Young was named Player of the Year and Ed Gover won Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Santa Barbara went 19-8 overall and 11-1 in conference, sharing the title with L.A. Pierce. It was the fourth WSC title in the last five years for the Vaqueros, who won two Regional playoff matches before falling at No. 1 seed Irvine Valley 3-1 in the Southern Cal Finals.
SBCC tied for fifth in the state for its highest finish since 1999 when it was the state runner-up.
Young, a 5-5 freshman libero from St. Lucy's High in West Covina, was second in the WSC in digs (370) and 10th in aces (41). She also had an outstanding 2.4 passer rating.
"Eryn was the foundation of our defense," said Gover, who earned his fourth WSC Coach of the Year honor. "Her ability to read and defend our opponent's best attackers provided us with many scoring opportunities in the transition game."
Right-side hitter Jenna Anderson was a first-team choice and made the All-Southern Cal Region team for the second straight year. Anderson, the 2012 WSC North Player of the Year, led the conference in points (344), was second in kills (280) and eighth in digs (227).
Sophomore outside hitter Madison Waddell and freshman middle blocker Kristy Kearney earned first-team all-conference honors for the second straight year. Waddell led the conference in kills (287) and hitting percentage (.358) and was third in total points. Kearney was first in the WSC North in season hitting percentage (.308) and second in total blocks (57).
Jasmine Ward (3rd in conference hitting percentage, .302) and setter Madelon Leiphardt (2nd in assists, 9.9 per set) were second-team selections. Middle blocker Taylor Badois and setter Ari Garner made honorable mention.
After suffering its only conference loss to L.A. Pierce on Oct. 9, SBCC reeled off 12 straight wins and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the state. They finished the year ranked No. 7.
